This study investigates the feasibility and performance of integrating shallow geothermal energy systems into the structural foundations of high-rise buildings with developed underground parts. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted, including field measurements of soil thermal properties and laboratory testing of heat exchange elements. Thermal response tests using a 100-meter geothermal probe demonstrated effective ground heat extraction, with the maximum temperature drop in the active zone reaching 6.8°C and an 83% temperature recovery within 3 months. Energy piles with diameters of 0.8 and 1.2 meters exhibited heat outputs of 4.6 and 7.2 kW, respectively, confirming that larger surface areas enhance thermal capacity. The ground source heat pump system operated with an average coefficient of performance of 4.21 during heating and 3.82 during cooling, achieving up to 98% of the projected thermal load. Numerical simulations confirmed the experimental findings, indicating an annual heating energy yield of approximately 2450 MWh. The results validate the integration of geothermal systems into foundation structures as an efficient and reliable approach to reducing energy consumption and enhancing sustainability in high-density urban development.
Valerievich et al. (2026) studied this question.